News Roundup for July 5, 2011
The trial of a California teen accused of a murdering a gay classmate in 2008 begins today. Brandon McInerney, 17, allegedly shot and killed Larry King, 15, in class after a long history of bullying and fights over King’s sexual orientation. A search of McInerney’s bedroom revealed white supremacist literature in his possession. LGBT people are by far the group most targeted for violent hate crimes.
Colorado Springs police are investigating a possible anti-gay hate crime. A group of individuals, including two soldiers, were allegedly beaten by a group of African-American men who shouted racial and anti-gay slurs.
A North Carolina preacher has been sentenced to 18 months probation for stalking a local abortion doctor. The charges came after Rev. Phillip “Flip” Benham passed out “wanted” posters of the physician with his name and photo on it, causing the doctor to fear for his life and safety.
A Wisconsin survivalist is wanted once again after getting out of prison for attempting to create a biological weapon. Denys Ray Hughes, 64, failed to report to a halfway house after being recently released for attempting to make the toxin ricin.
The antigovernment “Patriot group” We the People held its first convention over the July 4 weekend, reportedly attracting nearly 1,000 conservatives and Tea Party activists. Included among the speakers was John McManus, president of the John Birch Society, and former Democratic strategist Dick Morris.
